Pine Springs Texas History:
The Pine Springs site was known to travelers crossing the Guadalupe Pass. In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Mail built the Pinery stage station at the site. Between September and November 1858, the station master and his assistances had to live in tents until the station building was completed. The station was abandoned in August 1859 when the stage route was shifted south to be closer to the protection of Fort Davis and Fort Stockton. By the 1880s, the threat of Mescalero Apaches attacks had been eliminated and travelers began to use the Pinery for shelter. In 1907, rancher Walter Glover purchased and settled on the land. In 1928, When U.S. Highway 62 was completed in 1928, the Grovers established the Pine Springs Café which became a stopping place for automobile travelers between El Paso and Carlsbad, New Mexico. Mrs. Grover ran the café until her death in 1982. She also became the postmistress when a post office was established in 1942 when the population was 50. The post office closed in 1943. When the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and its Piney Springs Visitor Center and headquarters opened to the public in 1972, the estimated population rose from ten to twenty. Most of the residents worked either for the park or for the state highway department. Pine Springs claims to be the windiest town in Texas. Each year between February and April the town is buffeted by winds averaging fifty to eighty miles an hour and sometimes reaching 105 miles an hour. In 2000, the population remained at twenty. Pine Springs is located on U.S. 62/180 approximately 10 miles south of the New Mexico state line, 35 miles southwest of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Whites City, New Mexico, 98 miles northeast of Sierra Blanca, 87.6 miles northwest of Mentone, 99.6 miles northwest of Pecos, and 65 miles north of Van Horn, Texas.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Information:
The 135 square mile Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and contains the 8,749 foot tall Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. The Guadalupe Peak Trail offers the most outstanding views of the park. Hikers climb over 3,000 feet to its summit and the monument. The park also contains the El Capitan formation which was used as a landmark by people traveling an early route that was later used by the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach line. The ruins of an old stagecoach station are located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. Camping is available in the Pine Springs Campground and in Dog Canyon. During the fall, McKittrick Canyon’s Bigtooth Maples are a riot of colors. A trail in the canyon leads to the Pratt Cabin, formerly the summer home of the Wallace Pratt family who donated the canyon that established the park in the 1960s. One of the first area European settlers was cattle rancher Felix McKittrick who arrived in the 1870s. McKittrick Canyon is thought to be named after him. The now restored Frijole Ranch house was the first permanent ranch house in the area and served as a community center and regional post office from 1916-1942. It was constructed in 1876 by the Rader brothers and now houses a museum. The Williams Ranch House was built in 1908 and was named after one of its inhabitants. For more complete park information, read the Park Brochures and go to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park Home Page. Park Facilities Map

Pine Springs Visitor Center:
The center is open daily, except Christmas Day. It is located at Pine Springs and can be accessed via U.S. Highway 62/180 between Carlsbad, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. Open 8am-4:30pm during the off season; open 8am-6pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White’s City, New Mexico:
This famous park is located in New Mexico, north of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Activities include cave tours, hiking, backcountry camping, ranger programs, viewing Mexican free-tail bats, and wildlife viewing. The park contains one of the few protected portions of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. From U.S. 62/180 in White’s City, New Mexico, go north on New Mexico Highway 7. This seven mile Walnut Canyon drive is a scenic drive leading from the park gates at White’s City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. Park Information: (575) 785-2232. Bat Flight Information: (575) 785-3012.

Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area Information:
This 11,624 acre Wildlife Management Area was purchased in 1945 by TPWD to serve as a sanctuary for the remaining remnant of Texas Bighorn sheep. It was the first WMA established in Texas. The terrain is difficult with steep canyons and rugged hills. The refuge is closed except for special hunts by drawn permits. Hunting for mule deer, elk, feral hogs and coyotes is by compartment. The only access to the WMA is by TPWD escort through private lands and locked gates. Hunters must camp in the area, remain in the area during the entire hunt, and bring all their supplies, including potable water. (432) 837-3251. The WMA is located in Hudspeth and Culberson Counties, 15 miles northwest of Van Horn, Texas. For more complete WMA information, go to the Sierra Diablo WMA Home Page.

Learn to Camp at Texas Parks & Wildlife State Parks' Outdoor Family Camping Workshops:
Theseworkshops are family camping sessions designed to teach camping skills to those who do not know how to camp; everything is provided from tent to broom. Gear includes a coffee pot, dishes, cooking pots, a camp stove, a battery operated fan and lantern, air mattresses, and a tent. Basic skills taught include pitching a tent, making a campfire, cooking on a propane camp stove, geocaching and using a GPS. Wildlife viewing, fishing and kayaking are available depending on the park and its facilities. After making reservations, families will be sent a packet of information which includes a grocery list. Those interested in this program may sign up for E-Mail Updates on Currently Scheduled Workshops. (512) 389-8903. Calendar

Hunt Texas Online Connection:
More than 95% of Texas land is privately owned, making it hard for hunters to find affordable hunting opportunities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife has a huge public hunting program, and has developed a new service to help hunters find hunting places. This new service is provided free by the TPWD. It allows landowners to list available hunting leases or spots that have opened up, and allows hunters to find private hunting leases according to their preferences.